CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/9-1.2

Sec. 9-1.2. Intentional homicide of an unborn child.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/9-1.2
Offense Description
Intentional homicide of unborn child
Offense Classification
Class X Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 (Intentional homicide of unborn child) is classified as a Class X Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is subject to detention eligibility under the SAFE-T Act (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1).

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class X Felony

6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Detention Eligible (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)

Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class X Felony
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Detention Eligible (Class X)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Intentional homicide of unborn child Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 -> Class X Felony Rule 551 Mandate Detainable — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 9-1.2. Intentional homicide of an unborn child.

(a)

(a) A person commits the offense of intentional homicide of an unborn child if, in performing acts which cause the death of an unborn child, he without lawful justification:

(1)

(1) either intended to cause the death of or do great bodily harm to the pregnant individual or unborn child or knew that such acts would cause death or great bodily harm to the pregnant individual or unborn child; or (2) knew that his acts created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to the pregnant individual or unborn child; and (3) knew that the individual was pregnant.

(b)

(b) For purposes of this Section, (1) "unborn child" shall mean any individual of the human species from the implantation of an embryo until birth, and (2) "person" shall not include the pregnant woman whose unborn child is killed.

(c)

(c) This Section shall not apply to acts which cause the death of an unborn child if those acts were committed during any abortion, as defined in Section 1-10 of the Reproductive Health Act, to which the pregnant individual has consented. This Section shall not apply to acts which were committed pursuant to usual and customary standards of medical practice during diagnostic testing or therapeutic treatment.

(d)

(d) Penalty. The sentence for intentional homicide of an unborn child shall be the same as for first degree murder, except that:

(1)

(1) (blank);

(2)

(2) if the person committed the offense while armed with a firearm, 15 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court; (3) if, during the commission of the offense, the person personally discharged a firearm, 20 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court; (4) if, during the commission of the offense, the person personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person, 25 years or up to a term of natural life shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court. (e) The provisions of this Act shall not be construed to prohibit the prosecution of any person under any other provision of law.

(Source: P.A. 103-51, eff. 1-1-24.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 (Intentional homicide of unborn child) is classified as a Class X Felony.

Sentencing Scope: 6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Detention Eligible: Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 720 ILCS 5/9-1.2 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-1.2 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-9-1.2
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes